Navigating Affiliate Links and Medium Curation: A Writer's Guide
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Chapter 1: Understanding Medium Curation
As I continue my journey as a Medium writer, I find myself grappling with several questions. Should I consistently submit articles to various publications, despite the occasional sting of rejection? Is it crucial for me to become an exceptional writer first? I’ve decided that improvement comes with practice, so I’ll keep writing. Should I explore alternative income streams on Medium beyond the Partner Program? Am I aiming for Medium curation all the time? Lastly, can I include affiliate links in my articles?
Medium Curation — A Step Toward Recognition
In the early days of my writing, getting curated felt like a significant achievement, and it still brings me joy when I see that my work has been selected. However, many writers quickly realize that curation doesn’t necessarily enhance their article's visibility or engagement.
To clarify the impact of being "Chosen for Further Distribution," it's essential to recognize that trying to manipulate the Medium algorithm is often unproductive. Instead, I should focus on crafting more compelling narratives.
The following video provides insights on making money on Medium through affiliate links, helping writers understand the potential of this strategy.
Section 1.1: Affiliate Links — What You Need to Know
One critical aspect of writing on Medium is understanding the policies regarding affiliate links. It is necessary to disclose any affiliate links or compensation received for a post. For instance, if you use an Amazon link with your affiliate code, you need to inform your readers that it is an affiliate link. This transparency is required by both the FTC and Medium's guidelines.
This video elaborates on effective strategies for promoting affiliate links on Medium, especially for 2022.
Subsection 1.1.1: Guidelines for Distribution
Medium has specific rules regarding what can disqualify an article from additional distribution. Articles that violate Medium's policies, including ad-related rules, will not be considered for curation. Importantly, incorporating affiliate links does not violate these policies, provided you adhere to the disclosure requirements.
I experimented with including Amazon affiliate links in my article about the benefits of a single monitor setup, and I want to stress the importance of disclosure, as mandated by the FTC.
Section 1.2: The Importance of Transparency
Disclosing affiliate links informs your audience that you might receive compensation for mentioning certain products. For example, a statement such as, "As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases," can suffice.
After my article was published, I noticed the encouraging phrase, "Chosen for further distribution," highlighted under the category of productivity.
Takeaway: Balancing Quality and Monetization
As a Medium writer, it is essential to prioritize responsibility towards my audience. We must respect their time and investment, remembering that we share in their subscription fees. By consistently producing high-quality content, Medium supports our efforts to earn additional income, provided we don’t compromise the reader's experience.
As writers, we also need to view our work from the reader's perspective. If you encounter an article filled with clickbait and excessive affiliate links, it’s natural to feel frustrated. So, do affiliate links yield results? Yes, I see activity on my Amazon affiliate dashboard. Whether that translates into sales and commissions is a story for another day.